A stunning strike would to need pave the way for my technique to be effective in a realistic situation. Without a good atemi I just don't see this stuff working, but then again i'm a striker at heart and my aikido needs some work..

I think you`re correct there. aikido works best with a strike. if nothing else to take their balance.

I don`t think you should try using it for a while,however. My arguement is, as of now, you don`t know what you don`t know. For example, if you do do a hip throw and drop to your knee you might break his neck.

That being said Aikido principles are in most martial arts. Everyone makes it sound like all these arts are different but I think they are just branches off the same tree. Aikido being one of those brances.